The Mentor

Chapter 24

 **Song of the chapter is Heather by Conan Gray. Obviously edited to fit**

Kyle and I spent the rest of the evening making love and talking about the competition. It would only be a few minutes before we would find ourselves tangled in each other once again. Eventually we both got tired out and decided to put on a movie for background noise. I didn't even bother to look at the movie he had chosen. I just wanted to be in his presence.

I could feel my attachment to him growing stronger. I wanted to stop it, really. I couldn't. I was stuck with him for the remainder of the competition and then we would both go back to the same hometown. I couldn't distance myself from him.

"We are so close to the end, Jamie." He whispered.

"I know..." I mumbled.

He pushed my hair out of my eyes and scratched the back of my head.

"Are you scared?" He asked.

I shrugged.

"I don't know how to feel. I have a lot of hope for us but you and I both know that when we get to the end we will be going up against Sam and Kelly, they're the biggest threat at this point in time. They've always been a massive threat."

"What the hell ever happened between you and Sam?" Kyle asked.

"I have no idea...he just stopped talking to me suddenly and has had this weird cold attitude ever since. Maybe he felt the competition heat being turned up and severed all his alliances. I have no idea, truly." I sighed.

Kyle shook his head.

"I'm going to go get some air. Maybe go to that twenty-four hour deli and get some food. I'll see you tomorrow okay?" I said softly, getting up.

"Well what about me?" Kyle pleaded, jokingly.

"I am not letting you out in public with me when you're ass naked, dick swinging." I laughed.

He nodded and chuckled.

I put my clothes on and gathered up my bags. I really did want to go get some food, but I needed to air out. The competition was getting tight and I needed to process my thoughts about the whole situation with Kyle. I figured I would have a lovely learning experience regardless if we won. I knew I would get a great trip out of coming to New York to do the show in the first place. What I did not expect was for all this weird, complicated chemistry to evolve between the two of us. I came here for education and publicity, not to fall for my mentor. It was too late. This was no longer a secret little hookup that transpired from stress and sexual frustration. I fell hard and fast like falling off a building. I was just waiting to hit the ground and break my neck. I had to think about how to suppress my growing feelings and make it to the end of the competition.

I made my way downstairs and walked outside. I walked to the deli down the street and got a chicken salad sandwich. I was planning to just go back to the hotel and stay inside, but it was a really nice night. It was a perfect temperature and there were surprisingly no bugs in the air. I sat on the bench outside the hotel and ate my sandwich, just listening to the sounds of the city.

I heard the automatic doors open and heels clicking down the sidewalk. Tatu Baby saw me and waved. I crumpled up the foil from my sandwich and motioned for her to sit down. She obliged.

"What's going on? How was your time with Kyle?" She chuckled, elbowing me playfully.

"It was fine. We went to the pool and then watched a movie and stuff."

"And stuff?" She raised an eyebrow.

"Yeah that stuff, end of story."

She threw up her hands